Stiff joints day after training?

Question

Iv'e been noticing now the morning after I do my training my joints are usually a little stiff and sore for the first hour when I get out of bed.. (mainly ankles, knees & wrists) I know that this is a part of training and will usually happen to most people that train often and hard, But I was wondering if there is anything I can do now to prevent it becoming a problem when I am older or anything that will ease the effects now??

I am unable to wear shoes while training, I'm training Muay Thai, So I know that it usually puts a bit more of a battering on my body than most martial arts.. and giving up the sport is not an option.

Answer 1

Make sure you are stretching before, during and after working out. It is a good idea to stretch daily. It keeps the body limber.

Be mindful of your training habits. I know that people like to train hard ( I do anyway!) but if you train hard and do not use proper form you are injuring your body. Form is needed to keep everything in place when impact occurs. Lack of form on impact causes undo stress on the joints. Young people do not notice this right away always, but after years of doing this it will take a toll on your body.

Answer 2

There really isn't a whole lot you can do other than stop it. You can get some better shoes with more padding to decrease some of the shock, but that won't help that much in high impact exercises.

What's happening is just wear and tear on your joints. Running is actually very bad for your joints but people still do it because the other results make up for it. Also, high impact sports like football have extremely negative effects on lower body joints. There are many retired players who can barely get out of bed in the morning, and they haven't played a sport in years.

Take care of your body, it's the only one you have, but a little discomfort later so you can really enjoy something now seems worth it to me. Chances are when this stuff really starts taking a toll on your body, you'll have other problems that may trump some stiff or aching joints. There may also be a better treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in years to come. Then again, there are people who really suffer with bad joints.

Wow, was that answer scattered, and I didn't even answer the question. Good luck, there's nothing you can do.

Answer 3

I trained and competed in Muay Thai, under Ajarn Surachai Sirisute, for 6 years. Pain is just a part of the game. You have to get used to it. I only realized how much pain I endured on a daily basis after I retired. Now at 51 years old I have arthritis in my feet and occassional knee pain, but if I could go back in time, I wouldn't do anything different.

One thing we used to do after a hard workout is put very cold water on our legs, usually with the garden hose. Try it, see if it helps.

By the way, I recently sparred three hard rounds with a 22 year old guy who was just out of prison. My reactions are not what they used to be and my ribs hurt a lot afterwards, but I knocked him out at the end of the third round. What I am telling you is that even 20 years after you do retire, you will still have what it takes and you will not be hindered by pain.

Answer 4

Eat a couple of bananas after you get home from your lessons.
The extra potassium is good for the joints & muscles.

Don't forget about the good, old fashioned Epsom Salt bath!
.

Answer 5

The most immportant thing you can do when training your body like that is to stretch ALOT. also do some rotations before and after training.